Honda Increases Airbag Recall to 833,000 Cars

AF News Desk

05-03-2011, 12:05 PM

In an effort to find nearly 2,500 vehicles containing airbags that could cause physical harm when deployed, Honda has issued a recall of approximately 833,000 vehicles including many of their more popular models - the CR-V, Accord, Civic and Odyssey.

Additionally, several Acura ,models have also been added under suspicion of containing the defective airbags, which are said to deploy with extreme force.

DETROIT - Honda Motor Co Ltd expanded an earlier recall of Honda and Acura vehicles over replacement airbags that could deploy with too much pressure, causing injuries or fatalities, the company said on Tuesday.

The expanded recall adds 833,000 vehicles for the model years 2001 through 2003. Honda is looking for 2,430 replacement airbags that could contain the defect.

These additional vehicles were not included in earlier safety recalls because the the original airbag modules on the driver's side were not affected by the issue. But replacement airbags could contain the defect, Honda said.

The replacement airbag inflators could deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator casing to rupture. This could result in injury or a fatality.

The recall includes some 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic sedans, 2002 Odyssey minivans and 2002 and 2003 CR-V crossover vehicles. It also includes 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and 2003 3.2 CL vehicles.

Honda, who has been considered one of the most reliable and economical vehicles, is starting to get a bit of a black eye from these recalls for safety and function. They are in good company, however, as this seems to be the year of recalls with Ford's large-scale recall announced last month (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/14/us-ford-recall-idUSTRE73D81V20110414) of more than 1.4 million F-150 trucks.